Pilot met Air Scouts to talk about flying Spitfires

Former Spitfire pilot Peter Hale with members of 1st South Bersted Air Group SUS-150323-093044001

Published:13:00Saturday 28 March 2015

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SECOND world war Spitfire pilot Warrant Officer Peter Hale met Air Scouts to talk about his experiences.

WO Hale was among the panel at the juniors day, held by Arun and Chichester Air Aces.

The three-strong panel answered questions prepared by younger members of the First Bersted Air Scout Group.

The other panel members were Chief Technician Joe Roddis, ground crew for 234 Squadron in the Battle of Britain, and former Hawker Harrier test pilot John Farley.

Some 110 Cubs, Scouts, parents, helpers, leaders and Air Ace members were present. They included about 50 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

Air Aces joint founder David Batcock said: “The afternoon started with a US film, Cameron Air Show, with mad antics of various elderly acrobatic aircraft. Following was an interesting talk with film by John Bulfer, of the Battle of Britain Historic Society, outlining the reasons, aircraft, tactics and losses – 544 Allied airmen – from July 10 to October 31,1940.”

Local historian Mark Hillier gave an illustrated talk on the nine airfields in this area involved with D-Day in June, 1944. The afternoon also included an Air Aces’ donation of £500 to Wendy Morris – the Air Scout’s Akela. Last year’s donation enabled 12 Scouts to go gliding.

Cub Jack Jones was awarded a Chief Scout Award for achieving all his possible badges.